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Our recommendations for honeymoon getaways in South Africa

Be it in the unique Cape Town, the picturesque Cape Winelands or at a wilder, more remote Safari destination: South Africa is a mecca for honeymoon ideas.

My Blog on https://pink-book.co.za/wedding-tips-ideas/honeymoon/amazing-honeymoon-ideas-destinations-in-south-africa/.
Our South African travel expert from African Twist Travel shares her personal romantic accommodation tips.

The best view in Cape Town

Looking for honeymoon ideas in Cape Town? If you choose to stay in the Mother City, an uninterrupted view of the Atlantic Ocean should not be missing. The five-star boutique hotel, The Clarendon in Bantry Bay, offers just the right mix of luxury and exclusivity if you want to pamper yourself. The setting is hard to beat. Located on the slopes of  Table Mountain, a 180-degree sea view awaits you and takes your breath away. Best of all, you can enjoy it from your suite, the restaurant, the lounge and the pool.

A perfect Winelands retreat

Nature lovers are in their element just an hour from Cape Town. The intimate, luxury Angala Boutique Hotel in the Franschhoek Winelands is a retreat for body, mind and soul. It is nestled harmoniously at the foot of the Simonsberg Mountain and ideal for honeymooners who are looking for absolute peace and quiet. Angala is all about wellness: Guests can relax in the ozonated pool, heated plunge pool or the eco pool. Plus there is an infrared sauna & steam room and a range of wellness treatments to pamper you. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, so there is no need to leave Angala during your stay – except for a wine tasting trip to the picturesque valley.

The Whale Coast’s best-kept secret

If you drive from Hermanus towards Stanford you have no idea what is hidden on the opposite side of the lagoon. It’s Stanford’s best-kept secret, the Mosaic Lagoon Lodge. This is the ultimate private weekend getaway. The five beautiful suites, decorated in safari style, are in the middle of an ancient Milkwood Forest, with views of the picturesque lagoon and mountains. The suites and the intimate Main Lodge exude a natural atmosphere. Get ready to be spoilt by the attentive lodge staff: not only with exceptional personal service but also with culinary highlights at any time of the day. Those who manage to escape the incredible charm of Mosaic Lagoon Lodge can take part in the guided water and land-based activities or do whale watching during whale season. The Mosaic Lagoon Lodge is an insider tip for honeymoons.

honeymoon ideas

Cottage-style Garden Route honeymoon

Welcome to the heart of the Garden Route! If you are looking for accommodation for a Garden Route honeymoon with good value for money then Belvidere Manor in Knysna is the right place for you. The large grounds with views over the Knysna lagoon offer honeymooners plenty of space to linger and stroll. The privately located, unpretentious four-star cottages are well-equipped, making them perfect for a longer stay. Knysna is an excellent destination for active visitors any time of the year: the various possibilities to discover in the region are almost endless.

honeymoon ideas

Rhino spotting guaranteed

When it is colder in the Western Cape, Kwazulu Natal with its pleasantly warm weather from May to September is an ideal refuge. Just 3.5 hours north of Durban, the iconic Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park invites you to exciting Big 5 safari experiences. The four-star Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is the only private lodge in the park and a great choice if you are looking for an upmarket honeymoon destination in Kwazulu Natal. From the two generous honeymoon villas with private plunge pool on a raised deck, you can enjoy a spectacular view over the African bushveld. Pure relaxation. The beautiful lodge offers extremely personal experience and friendly staff who fulfill your every wish. The game viewing leaves nothing to be desired and the sighting of rhinos is practically guaranteed. In recent years, the park has successfully done everything possible to save the White and Black rhino from extinction.

Honeymoon Ideas

Less luxurious, but more idyllic

Just like Rhino Ridge, Kosi Forest Lodge is part of the Isibindi group. Isibindi works very closely with local communities and is committed to conservation – a role model for fair tourism in South Africa. Kosi Forest Lodge in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, is a rustic honeymoon destination. There is no luxury here, but you can expect an unbelievably idyllic experience in a pristine paradise that is reminiscent of the Okavango Delta. Honeymoon guests are spoiled with a private dinner and romantic turndown. Countless lantern lights throughout the lodge create a beautiful mood in the evenings. The perfect day ends with a bubble bath in the outdoor bathtub under the stars.

honeymoon ideas

An intimate nature destination

In the same Isimangaliso Wetland Park, further south, there is another gem that attracts honeymooners like a magnet, the intimate Makakatana Bay Lodge. You can feel that this lodge is owner-managed: as soon as you arrive you become part of the family. The quiet location couldn’t be more ideal for honeymooners. The honeymoon room offers a view of the Vlei and the romantic outdoor shower should not be missed. And neither should a private dinner on your own terrace. At Makakatana it never gets boring: Guided excursions to a game reserve, the Lake St. Lucia Estuary and the glorious beaches ensure unforgettable experiences.

Honeymoon Ideas

From the city into the bush

For honeymoon and weekend getaways near Johannesburg you are spoilt for choice. After a three-hour drive north, you arrive in a completely different world in the middle of the African bush, the Welgevonden Game Reserve. This malaria-free game reserve has unique lodges, including Sediba’s Rock Lodge and Mountain Lodge. With only four high-end villas, the Mountain Lodge is the more intimate option and therefore a hit with honeymooners. The romantic Mountain Suites, built with natural resources, invite you with a jacuzzi and outdoor shower. A log fire creates a cozy atmosphere in the evening when you return from an exciting game drive. An incredible safari atmosphere, not far from the bustling city of Johannesburg, that should not be missed.

Honeymoon Ideas

If you are looking for more inspiring honeymoon ideas and weekend getaways for every budget, Gisela from African Twist Travel will be happy to assist you. For more information contact: journeys@africantwisttravel.com, www.africantwisttravel.com

International travel to South Africa to resume in the next few months

South Africa’s tourism private-sector, under the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), have been engaging on the Tourism Recovery Strategy currently being developed by South African Tourism. TBCSA is advocating unequivocally for the earlier phased reopening of international tourism to South Africa this year to as soon as September 2020.

This data-driven recovery strategy has been presented to relevant government authorities and is guided by government’s risk-adjustment strategy as well as the preparation that the tourism industry has put in place to ensure safety and stringent health-focussed protocols to guide and assist stakeholders within the travel and tourism value-chain including staff, travellers and guests. The TBCSA will also be presenting the approach at the next Parliamentary Portfolio Committee meeting on 9 June 2020.

“South Africa is following a Risk-Adjusted Strategy based on levels of lockdown, not dates. These levels are defined according to relevant epidemiologic facts – parts of the travel and tourism sector have been earmarked for return in Levels 2 and 1, depending on their risk profile and the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa. However, we have already seen the inclusion of business travel in Level 3 as a result of successful lobbying for earlier reopening of this critical sector and we are confident that we are in a position to reopen inbound market in a safe and health-focussed manner at least in September.” said Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO TBCSA.

From an inbound international tourism perspective, the TBCSA is putting acute emphasis on the importance of tourism to South Africa in the fourth quarter and the value of the forward book.

“The summer high season runs from September to March and represents 60% of the annual business for tourism. The nature of international inbound tourism is such that we have long lead times between booking and travel,” explains Tshivhengwa.

Inbound tourism employs over 375,000 people in South Africa and contributes 8.7% of our exports. It is estimated that over 40,000 jobs have already been lost within the tourism sector, and it is critical to preserve those left. There are also significant knock-on effects on other parts of the economy as a result of not having international tourism and travel open. This will also affect South Africa’s status as a regional hub and leading African destination should neighbouring countries and our competitors open up their borders faster.

Car rentals are one of the travel services that have been reopened already, however other parts of the market such as communities and conservation have been hard hit by the lockdown, adds Tshivhengwa. “The loss of jobs and income is already being felt significantly in those communities adjacent to parks and the direct impacts on conservation from reduced revenues and reduced corporate spending, as well as indirect impacts through increased environmental crime, are potentially devastating.”

The proposed phased recovery strategy provides for an initial 6-8 week Preparation Phase, followed by a Phase 1 trial phase where safe source markets with similar risk profiles and stages of pandemic are allowed to travel to South Africa. These travellers would be vetted, all stringent safety protocols would be in place and the focus would be on low-contact product and low-risk areas, traditionally with low density.

In Phase 2, South Africa would further open key markets, expand the experiences on offer, until in Phase 3 air access is opened fully and the destination can restart its longer-term growth strategy. “At the same time, South Africa will have to focus on continuing to create an enabling environment for tourism, which looks at more visa waivers, a robust eVisa system, the fixing of vehicle licencing and permits and air liberalisation,” says Tshivhengwa.